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If you were to take a couple of minutes and look around, you’d be surprised by how many faces and familiar-looking creatures surround you. You may ask, 'Where?' Well, everywhere! If you’re still not familiar with the term, let us introduce you to pareidolia. Is this your first time encountering this term? Despite its exotic sound, it's a rather common phenomenon. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, it is defined as 'a situation in which someone sees a pattern or image of something that does not exist, such as a face in a cloud.' Now we're on the same page! Haven't we all experienced that at some point?

For some people, it's a delightful coincidence, while others are dedicated to focusing their attention and seeking new examples of pareidolia. What they share is the practice of capturing their discoveries and sharing them with others online. Thanks to this, we've been able to curate this fascinating collection of images featuring various things spotted by people from around the world.

Scroll down to see the best instances of pareidolia spotted and shared by people, as well as to read our interview with the founder of the Stone Face account curating the best images showcasing faces appearing on beach stones.

#1

I Looked Up At The Moon And Felt As If The Moon Was Looking Back Down At Me

I Looked Up At The Moon And Felt As If The Moon Was Looking Back Down At Me

Cityboy216 Report

#2

This Duck Has A Perfect Cartoon Dog Face For A Beak

This Duck Has A Perfect Cartoon Dog Face For A Beak

Burlapin Report

Bored Panda reached out to Jules behind the Stone Face Instagram profile. On her profile, the pareidolia enthusiast has so far shared a wide range of nearly 2k examples of stones with some facial features.

We wanted to know what initially inspired Jules to start searching for and sharing cases of pareidolia in beach stones on her account. We found out that: “I’ve always collected stones. Every holiday, when everyone else was swimming or sunbathing, I would be pacing the beach, head-down, intrigued by the stones and pebbles. I’ve always spotted stonefaces on the beach, but during lockdown I started photographing them and putting them on Instagram. Because the stones have such different personalities, I was soon writing little funny sentences or stories about them. People joined in and soon I discovered that there were quite a few pareidolia accounts out there. People spot faces everywhere and in everything!”

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#5

The "Heartwood" Of This Tree Is Shaped Like A Human Heart

The "Heartwood" Of This Tree Is Shaped Like A Human Heart

gro- Report

#6

I Was Trying To Make A Heart

I Was Trying To Make A Heart

martyps Report

We were curious if Jules could describe one of the most striking or memorable instances of pareidolia that she’s discovered. The founder of Stone Face mentioned her best finds: “My holy grail is finding stones with ancient sea urchins as eyes (like this, this, or this one). Quite a few of my followers (and I follow them too because they are SO interesting) are fossil hunters and they really appreciate the stonefaces and join in with #stonefacesunday!”

#7

A Cat Reaching For The Sky

A Cat Reaching For The Sky

reddit.com Report

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Asked what some of the most common reactions or comments Jules has received from Stone Face’s followers were, she said: “Most common reaction is joy! My followers are such a fantastic, eclectic, wonderful tribe of people. They follow every post and comment on it, or laugh, or suggest another take on what they see. I always respond and appreciate every emoji and every like. It’s an ever-growing tribe of interesting, lovely people!”

#10

I Accidentally Created A Porcupine By Pouring Instant Coffee Over An Americano

I Accidentally Created A Porcupine By Pouring Instant Coffee Over An Americano

fishdust Report

#11

Sad Person Sitting On A Ledge

Sad Person Sitting On A Ledge

AMoldyHam Report

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Mistiekim
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’ll be ok sad person - as I understand it, Dawn will take care of those greasy pans

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Lastly, we were wondering how curating these pareidolia examples on Instagram has affected Jules’ perception of the everyday objects and patterns around her. She shared with us: “I see faces in literally everything now! I’ll go for a run and see faces in the leaves (there are Instagram accounts for just faces in leaves) or on every building or in the clouds. If everyone just stopped and looked, they would see them too.”

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#13

My Knee Imprint At The Gym Looks Like An Ear

My Knee Imprint At The Gym Looks Like An Ear

misterkevfang Report

#14

I Started Drawing Over To Show What I See In Detail. Here's A Sad Bear Trapped In A Wall

I Started Drawing Over To Show What I See In Detail. Here's A Sad Bear Trapped In A Wall

DoeKawaii Report

#17

I Overcooked An Egg And It Looks Like A Person Is Trying To Climb Out Of It

I Overcooked An Egg And It Looks Like A Person Is Trying To Climb Out Of It

matt_hammond Report

#19

A Rock Created Bird-Shaped Window Art On My Car

A Rock Created Bird-Shaped Window Art On My Car

AshlynnMartell Report

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Lara
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should keep it and frame it when they replace the glass! Its beautiful

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#20

This Cactus That Looks Like A Bird

This Cactus That Looks Like A Bird

StruparsRightLeg Report

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#21

A Piece Of Driftwood That Looks Just Like A Seagull

A Piece Of Driftwood That Looks Just Like A Seagull

venomforty Report

#22

Unsure If I Saw A Cloud Or A Dragon The Other Day

Unsure If I Saw A Cloud Or A Dragon The Other Day

toothfairEEE Report

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#29

A Seal In My Potatoes

A Seal In My Potatoes

gilligan888 Report

#32

My Wife's Bag Has A Grumpy Face

My Wife's Bag Has A Grumpy Face

NegativeDog975 Report

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WindySwede
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"You seriously are telling me they turned me into a MK backpack?"

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#33

This Terrier

This Terrier

TheLastTsumami Report

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#34

The Camera In The ER Looks Like A Surprised Panda

The Camera In The ER Looks Like A Surprised Panda

WhiskyEye Report

#36

Dragon Tree In The Chellah Necropolis, Rabat

Dragon Tree In The Chellah Necropolis, Rabat

aymaneV Report

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PandaGoPanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't tell you how many times I walked in the Chellah, but never saw anything beyond a tree. Will now never be able to unsee the dragon.

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#37

I Went Boating On Saratoga Lake, NY And Saw This Cloud That Looked Like A Victorian Lady

I Went Boating On Saratoga Lake, NY And Saw This Cloud That Looked Like A Victorian Lady

moon_lova Report

#38

Snow Elephant On A NYC "Citi Bike"

Snow Elephant On A NYC "Citi Bike"

jakash Report

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#40

My Toothpaste Came Out Looking Like A Nose

My Toothpaste Came Out Looking Like A Nose

shefearsoblivion Report

#41

Water Stain On A Wall That Looks Like A Pirate With A Long Beard

Water Stain On A Wall That Looks Like A Pirate With A Long Beard

knee2710 Report

#42

The Back Side Of This Studio Microphone Appears To Be Holding Its Head, Screaming In Pain

The Back Side Of This Studio Microphone Appears To Be Holding Its Head, Screaming In Pain

FBAHobo Report

#43

This Potato Looks Like A Reptile Or A Dino

This Potato Looks Like A Reptile Or A Dino

the_way_around Report

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#45

Cute Kitty On A Windshield

Cute Kitty On A Windshield

REpassword Report

#48

I Asked To Have A Motion Sensor Light Installed. I Guess I Should Have Asked To See It First

I Asked To Have A Motion Sensor Light Installed. I Guess I Should Have Asked To See It First

brolbo Report

#49

These Cameras Look Like A Pair Of Eyes

These Cameras Look Like A Pair Of Eyes

zozozomemer Report

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VioletHunter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The eyes don't really care for what they see. Where is the excitement around here?

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#51

This Tiny Dent In My Linoleum Floor Looks Like An Eye

This Tiny Dent In My Linoleum Floor Looks Like An Eye

cerosin420 Report

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#55

When You See Her, You Can't Unsee Her

When You See Her, You Can't Unsee Her

Organic-Squirm Report

#57

A Knot In The Wood Of My Door That Looks Like An Owl Has Been Trapped Inside Of It

A Knot In The Wood Of My Door That Looks Like An Owl Has Been Trapped Inside Of It

Andreas_T_Privacy Report

#58

These Flowers Look Like A Group Of Tiny 3D-Rendered Chickens Wearing Glasses And Holding A Cake

These Flowers Look Like A Group Of Tiny 3D-Rendered Chickens Wearing Glasses And Holding A Cake

oldgood_isaac Report

#59

Cloud That Looks Like A Pig's Head

Cloud That Looks Like A Pig's Head

nashlad_06 Report

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#61

Rain Dripping On My Outdoor Workbench Leg Made This

Rain Dripping On My Outdoor Workbench Leg Made This

reddit.com Report

#62

This Wasp Nest Looks Like A Mouth

This Wasp Nest Looks Like A Mouth

adam_the_caffeinated Report

#63

This Knot On This Dresser Looks Like A Smiling Bear

This Knot On This Dresser Looks Like A Smiling Bear

DuckMom Report

#64

This Gourd Looks Like An Old Kiwi Bird

This Gourd Looks Like An Old Kiwi Bird

reddit.com Report

#65

I Turned The Lights On And Noticed Someone Has Been Watching Me

I Turned The Lights On And Noticed Someone Has Been Watching Me

JBronson5 Report

#66

I Came Across This Tree That Looks Like A Woman With Her Arms Raised Above Her Head

I Came Across This Tree That Looks Like A Woman With Her Arms Raised Above Her Head

Apprehensive_Arm_330 Report

#68

Bob Ross On My Burrito

Bob Ross On My Burrito

leahleonarddd Report

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#71

The Way My Coffee Spilled This Morning Looked Like A Duck

The Way My Coffee Spilled This Morning Looked Like A Duck

reddit.com Report

#74

I Accidentally Cut Out A Snail-Shaped Bell Pepper

I Accidentally Cut Out A Snail-Shaped Bell Pepper

irishsurname1 Report

#76

A Pretty Angry Prisoner

A Pretty Angry Prisoner

faces.of.lelgram Report

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#77

The Wheel Looks Like A Goose Head Holding A Wheel

The Wheel Looks Like A Goose Head Holding A Wheel

brzrkr76 Report

#78

Hot Chocolate This Morning

Hot Chocolate This Morning

brolbo Report

#81

I Found This Face In A Potato. Can't Put My Finger On Who It Looks Like. Suggestions?

I Found This Face In A Potato. Can't Put My Finger On Who It Looks Like. Suggestions?

MiloMade Report

#82

The Scratched Paint On Our Bathroom Wall Looks Like A Face With A Big Pointy Nose

The Scratched Paint On Our Bathroom Wall Looks Like A Face With A Big Pointy Nose

TheKatkaRapu Report

#83

This Morning's Coffee Bloom Looked Like A Surprised Bear

This Morning's Coffee Bloom Looked Like A Surprised Bear

YogurtGhost Report

#84

A Witch With A Black Hood Hidden Under The Lid Of My Yogurt

A Witch With A Black Hood Hidden Under The Lid Of My Yogurt

66pp Report

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#85

The Folds In This Curtain Creates The Illusion Of A Face

The Folds In This Curtain Creates The Illusion Of A Face

justadair Report